Biz Beat 5-23-2013

Soubise Restaurant opened May 12 at 50 W. Broadway, the redeveloped Broadway Commerce Center downtown. Restaurateur Cory Stamp and chef Gabriel Gil previously ran the Rabbit Bistro with a French theme, but their new restaurant is expanding its menu to serve a “modern Northwestern cuisine” with local and seasonal ingredients. Portland architect Mark Annen designed the layout and bar, and the granite tabletops and terrazzo floors at Sousbise were part of the original historic building. Local art and handmade furniture are also featured in the design. Call (458) 205-8487 for hours and reservations.

Boulevard Grill at 2123 Franklin Blvd. near Walnut Station might be undergoing some changes in the near future. Old-timers remember it as the rather upscale Black Angus steakhouse with its popular piano bar. Numerous local groups and clubs, such as Rotary and McKenzie Flyfishers, have rented out the banquet rooms for years and have been notified they need to find new venues. Management did not respond to our phone call by press time, but we hear the prime property might be on the market, maybe even sold (hopefully not bulldozed for more student housing). Meanwhile, the restaurant provides parking for Matt Arena events for $10 and that includes a $5 coupon for the restaurant or bar that day.

Eugene Industrial Hemp is a new online resource clearinghouse for “agriculture, industries, economics and local green sustainability in Eugene,” according to Neriah Lothamer of the group. The Industrial Hemp Act of 2013 has been sponsored in Congress by Sen. Ron Wyden and the group is supporting that legislation. “Since 1937 the U.S. has never been this close to dropping the prohibition against hemp,” Lothamer says. The group is focused on Hemp History Week June 3-9 and is planning a series of local actions and events, including an exhibit at Saturday Market June 4. See eugeneindustrialhemp.com to get on the mailing list and join the activities.

Local guy makes good. Eugene native and UO grad Greg Freuler won a big award earlier this month at the National Hardware Show in Las Vegas for “Most Innovative New Product” with his ErgoMaster Pro Anti-Fatigue Paint Brush Handle. “This is a highly prestigious industry award with over 2,700 companies from around the world vying for the honor,” Freuler says. He is currently president of gallaxG tools in Portland. See galaxg.com for photos of his innovations. Go Duck!

The 40th annual Aquafina Butte to Butte run will be July 4 and the word has gone out for volunteers as well as runners. A kick-off party open to the public will be from noon to 2 pm Sunday, May 26, at the Eugene Hilton downtown. See buttetobutte.org or call 484-9883.